Stubble softening device

ABSTRACT

A method for softening a beard stubble. A device is utilized that includes a pliable substrate; and, a first layer of grit material located on a first side of said pliable substrate. The first layer of grit material includes grit in a range of 300-800 grit. The first layer of grit material is rubbed against the operator&#39;s stubble to dull the sharp edges from the ends of trimmed hair.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/287,996, entitled “STUBBLE SOFTENING DEVICE”, filed Nov. 2, 2011. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/410,079, filed on Nov. 4, 2010. The entire contents of Ser. No. 13/287,996 and 61/410,079 are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to hair softeners, and more particularly to a hair stubble softening device.

2. Description of the Related Art

It has long been desired to provide an implement to soften the hair of newly shaved hair, particularly beards and goatees, to enhance intimate contact with a partner. Generally, solutions to rough stubble include beard conditioners, waxes and combs. A deficiency with facial hair conditioners and waxes is that the resulting softness of the goatee or beard is temporary. Wax covers the hair temporarily. Conditioners soften the hair temporarily. However, the sharp edges of each strand are still sharp after these products wear off.

There are numerous patents that have issued that have involved beard related devices. These include:

U.S. Pat. Publcn. No. US 2006/0288595, entitled “SAFETY RAZOR FOR SHAVING FACE, ARMS, AND LEGS” discloses a safety razor that includes a handle and a razor blade unit on top thereof, wherein the razor blade unit has a movable skin contact member, the skin contact member having a leading skin contact part and a trailing skin contact part, and during safety razor use, the leading skin contact part and trailing skin contact part can swing to the front and back with respect to the razor blade body, thereby enabling smooth shaving, whether for a safety razor having no guard part or for a safety razor having a guard part similar to standard safety razors.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,193,287, entitled “BEARD-SOFTENER”, discloses in a beard softener, a brush head including a cap having apertures in its rim, a brush back or block disposed within the cap and having slots adapted to coincide with the openings of the cap rim, and a brush member disposed upon the brush back or block within the cap, a handle on the head having extensions projecting through the apertures of the cap rim and into the slots of the brush back or block, and an adhesive securing the brush member to its back or block, extending into the slots of the brush back or block to secure the handle to the head.

U.S. Pat. Publcn. No. US 2002/0157258, entitled “BIKINI TM BLADE APPARATUS AND METHODS”, discloses an apparatus for reducing levels of visible hair present within the bikini line region, or the groin area of a user. It is made up of at least a blade in a razor blader head assembly, which is otherwise conventional, except for having a cutting edge ranging from at least about 0.50 inches to about 0.90 inches, in combination with conventional attachments, handles and refillable and disposable specialized handle structures, with which it is compatible. A method of use and kit are likewise disclosed whereby at least one of a user's groin area and bikini line are rendered substantially free of visible hairs.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,270,635, entitled “BEARD-SOFTENER”, discloses a beard softener comprising a handle having prongs, provided with bearings, a hollow cylindrical roller having an imperforate annular wall and a trunnion at one end engaging one of said bearings and a filling spout at its opposite end forming another trunnion, and engaging the other bearing, means for normally closing the filling spout, and a yielding contact sleeve supported around the periphery of the roller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect, the present invention is embodied as a method for softening a beard stubble. A device is utilized that includes a pliable substrate; and, a first layer of grit material located on a first side of said pliable substrate. The first layer of grit material includes grit in a range of 300-800 grit. The first layer of grit material is rubbed against the operator's stubble to dull the sharp edges from the ends of trimmed hair.

Typically, the first layer of grit material comprises grit of approximately 400, the pliable substrate is disc-shaped with a diameter in a range of 2-3.5 inches. The pliable substrate is typically foam.

Unlike conventional beard softening techniques the present invention does not temporarily mask the source of irritation. The sharp edges remain rounded until the next trimming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the hair stubble softening device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a section taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the hair stubble softening device, shown assembled.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the second embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a third embodiment of the hair stubble softening device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the hair stubble softening device of the present invention, designated generally as 10. The device 10 includes a pliable substrate 12, a first layer 14 of grit material located on a first side of the pliable substrate 12, and a second layer 16 of grit material located on a second side of the pliable substrate 12. The layers 14, 16 utilize grit in a range of 300-800, preferably about 400.

The pliable substrate 12 is preferably formed of a foam material with a desired flexibility. The foam material may be, for example, polyurethane. Foam material having a thickness in a range of between about 0.05 to 0.25 inches, preferably about 0.125 inches, may be utilized. Alternatively, the pliable substrate 12 may be formed of plastic or sponge materials. Other suitable pliable materials may be utilized such as rubber, foil or cardboard.

The layers 14, 15 of grit material may comprise softening paper or cloth with particles of abrading materials embedded therein or bonded therein. Alternatively, the particles may be embedded or bonded directly to the pliable substrate 12. As is well known in the field of modern coated abrasives, i.e. sandpaper, grit size refers to the size of the abrading particles. As used herein the grit size refers to the United States CAMI (Coated Abrasive Manufacturers Institute) designation.

The substrate 12 and layers 14, 16 are preferably disc-shaped, with diameters of between about 1.5 to 5.5 inches, preferably about 2.5 to 3 inches. The outer periphery of the substrate 12 and layers 14, 16 may comprise a raised outer edge of, for example, plastic or foam to preventing the device 10 from scratching surfaces if it is placed on, for example, countertops and sink surfaces.

Although the device 10 has been shown as having a layer of grit material on each side it is within the purview of these inventive concepts that device 10 have only a single layer of grit material on one side of the pliable substrate.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 a second embodiment of the hair stubble softening device is illustrated, designated generally as 18. In this embodiment, the device 18 includes a handle assembly, designated generally as 20. The handle assembly 20 is securely attachable to a pliable substrate 22 with a layer 24 of grit material. The substrate 22 is preferably fastened by VELCRO® hook and loop fastening material 25, 26.

As shown in these figures the handle assembly 20 comprises a conical element 28 having a narrow end and a wide end. A handle element 30 is located at the narrow end. A base section 32 is located at the wide end and is configured to be securely attachable to the pliable substrate 22. The handle element 30 may be constructed out of metal, wood, plastic or other suitable rigid and resilient material.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the hair stubble softening device is illustrated, designated generally as 34. In this embodiment, the handle assembly 36 includes a motor assembly 38 arranged and constructed to spin or vibrate the pliable substrate 40 and its associated layer of grit material 42. As in the previous embodiment the pliable substrate and associated grit material are disposable. The electrical handle assembly 36 may be rechargeable or be plugged in directly to an AC outlet.

During use, preferably using a circular motion, the operator presses the disc against his face and rubs the grit material against his stubble to round (dull) the sharp edges from the ends of the newly trimmed hair. The operator presses the disc against his face sufficiently hard enough to round the edges of the hairs but gentle enough as to not scratch his face with the abrasive surface of the disc.

Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method for softening a beard stubble, comprising the steps of: a) providing a device, comprising a pliable substrate; and, a first layer of grit material located on a first side of said pliable substrate, said first layer of grit material comprising grit in a range of 300-800 grit; and, b) rubbing said first layer of grit material against the operator's stubble to dull the sharp edges from the ends of trimmed hair.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing a device comprises providing a device with a second layer of grit material located on a second side of said pliable substrate.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer of grit material comprises grit of approximately
 400. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said wherein said pliable substrate is disc-shaped.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said pliable substrate is disc-shaped with a diameter in a range of 2-3.5 inches.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said pliable substrate comprises foam.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said pliable substrate comprises plastic.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said pliable substrate comprises sponge.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing a device comprises providing a device further comprising a handle assembly securely attachable to said pliable substrate.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing a device comprises providing a device further comprising a handle assembly securely attachable to said pliable substrate, said handle assembly and said pliable substrate each having complementary hook and loop fastening material thereon for said secure attachment.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing a device comprises providing a device further comprising a handle assembly securely attachable to said pliable substrate, wherein said pliable substrate and said first layer of grit material are disposable.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing a device comprises providing a device further comprising a handle assembly, comprising: a) a conical element having a narrow end and a wide end; b) a handle element located at said narrow end; c) a base section located at said wide end configured to be securely attachable to said pliable substrate.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing a device comprises providing a device further comprising a handle assembly securely attachable to said pliable substrate, wherein said handle assembly comprises a motor assembly arranged and constructed to spin or vibrate said pliable substrate.
 14. A method for softening a beard stubble, comprising the steps of: a) providing a device, comprising a pliable, disc-shaped foam substrate with a diameter in a range of 2-3.5 inches and a thickness in a range of 0.05-0.25 inches; and, a first layer of grit material located on a first side of said pliable substrate, said first layer of grit material consisting of grit in a range of 300-800 grit for rounding the sharp edges on the ends of trimmed hair, wherein said first layer of grit material comprises sandpaper, without perforations therein; and, b) rubbing said first layer of grit material against an operator's stubble to dull the sharp edges from the ends of trimmed hair.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said first layer of grit material comprises grit of approximately
 400. 16. A method for softening a beard stubble, comprising the steps of: a) providing a device, comprising a pliable substantially flat, disc-shaped foam substrate with a diameter in a range of 2-3.5 inches and a thickness in a range of 0.05-0.25 inches; and, a substantially flat, first layer of grit material located on a first side of said pliable substrate, said first layer of grit material consisting of grit in a range of 300-800 grit for rounding the sharp edges on the ends of trimmed hair, wherein said first layer of grit material comprises sandpaper, without perforations therein; and, b) rubbing said first layer of grit material against an operator's stubble to dull the sharp edges from the ends of trimmed hair. 